Ear pain: which doctor to see
Ear pain often comes with a cold in both children and adults, but not only: sometimes the pain is referred from a tooth or the jaw joint. The ear is ENT territory: an ENT doctor will examine it and quickly find the cause.
Common causes
- Middle ear infection (otitis media) during a cold
- Outer ear infection ("swimmer's ear") — after water or cotton swabs
- Earwax blockage
- Referred pain from a tooth or the jaw joint
- Pressure changes when flying or diving
When to seek urgent help
Do not wait for a scheduled visit if you have any of these signs:
- Pus or blood coming from the ear
- Sudden hearing loss
- Pain with high fever and swelling or redness behind the ear
- Dizziness and nausea along with ear pain
- Ear pain after an injury
- Facial asymmetry (one side of the face does not move) — call 103
Ambulance: 103 (103 from a mobile) · Unified rescue service: 911
Your specialist
ENT specialist
What to bring to the visit
- A timeline: when it started, whether there was cold exposure, swimming or a flight
- A list of medicines and ear drops you have already used
- Information about previous ear infections
- Hearing test results, if you have had one
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ear drops before seeing a doctor?
Better not: with a damaged eardrum some drops are dangerous. First an ENT examination, then treatment.
Why do children's ears hurt during colds so often?
Children's auditory tube is shorter and wider, so infection from the nose reaches the ear more easily. That is why a child's runny nose should not be neglected.
More in “Ear, nose, throat”
- Sore throat
ENT specialist
- Nasal congestion
ENT specialist
- Snoring and sleep apnea
ENT specialist
The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis in person. If your condition worsens, call 103.